Laundry machinery



Feb. 9, 1937. J. EVANS 2,070,528

LAUNDRY MACHINERY Filed June 1, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 it A I W 75 WITNESSES INVENTORS J07? Eva 7Z5 & 1 KW W ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 9, 1937UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LAUNDRY MACHINERY John Evans, Salt LakeCity, Utah Application June 1, 1935, Serial No. 24,563

This invention relates to improvements in laundry machinery, and hasspecific relation to starch applicators and extractors for use inlaundering collars, cuffs, and the like.

Several types of starch applicators, all more or less unsatisfactory,have heretofore been made. It is an object of the present invention toprovide an improved apparatus of this type of relatively simple andrugged construction which will I overcome the difliculties heretoforeencountered, and which will apply the proper amount of starch to thearticle being laundered without any substantial loss or waste of thestarch.

It is a further object to provide an improved machine of this characterwhich can be automatically operated, even by an inexperienced operator,and which practically eliminates the danger of bodily injury to theoperator.

With these and other objects in view, reference should be had to ings,in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation partially in section of a starch applicatorand extractor embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross section in the direction of the arrows on the line 22of Fig. 3, showing in detail the starch applying and starch extractingrollers forming part of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view in the direction of the arrows on the line3-3 of Fig. 1, showing the rollers in operating position; and

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the rollers as in spacedrelation prior to the starch extracting operation.

My improved laundry machine includes a suitable container III for astarch preparation II having a pair of starch applying rollers I2suitably supported adjacent the upper portion of the container I0 so asto be partly immersed in the starch preparation, and a pair of feed andstarch extracting pressure rollers I3 and I4 respectively, supportedabove the container and arranged so that the collar, cuff, or otherarticle tobe starched may be inserted between the rollers I3 and I4 andthe rollers I2 into the starch preparation II until the proper amount ofstarch has been absorbed, and then isslowly fed upwardly by the rollers.The rollers I2 are preferably approximately two-thirds submerged in thestarch preparation and serve to cause the starch to penetrate throughthe article and be absorbed by the fabric, while the rollers I3 and I4serve both as feed rollers and also as starch extractors to remove anysurplus starch, the surplus starch being forced towards the end of thearticle being the accompanying drawtreated, and 'thence back into thecontainer I 0.

The rollers I3 and I4- are preferably covered with a layer of relativelyhard rubber as shown at I5, while the rollers I2 may be formed of anysuitable material such as relatively hard rubber. The rollers I3 and I4are secured to suitable shafts I6 and I6, the shaft of the roller I3being journalled at its two ends in suitable bearing blocks H which arefixedly mounted between horizontal cross pieces I8 formed adjacent thetop on both 10 sides of the'machine. The bearing blocks I! are formedwith depending portions I9 in which the shaft 20 supporting one of therollers I2 is jour: nalled.

' The shaft I6 of the roller its two ends in shiftable bearing blocks 2Iwhich are disposed between and shiftable along the horizontal membersI8. The bearing blocks 2| are provided with downwardly dependingportions 22 in which the shaft 20 of the other roller journalled. Thecontainer I0 is suitably secured to the lower cross members I8 as bymeans of nuts and bolts. It will thus be seen that the horizontallydisposed members I8 serve as supports for the apparatus and as thebearing blocks 2| may slide, permitting the rollers I3 and I4 andlikewise the rollers I2 to be shifted towards and away from each other.

A pair of tension springs 23, suitably supported at one end as by meansof the screw-threaded 30 eyes 24 to the projecting studs 25 formedintegral with the bearing blocks 2|; and at the other end by means ofthe adjustable screw-threaded eyes 26 and wing nuts 21 to the stationaryyoke 28, serve to normally hold the rollers in spaced relation as shownin Fig. 4 so that the sleeve or other portion of a garment may beinserted between the rollers until the portion to be starched isimmersed in the starch preparation II disposed in the container beneaththe rollers. When the rollers I3 and I4 are in'the separated posi tionindicated in Fig. 4, the rollers I2 will likewise be in spaced relation.

After the article of wearing apparel has been inserted between therollers and the portion to be starched has been immersed in the starchpreparation, the rollers are then automatically forced together by meansof the slide 30 supported for lateral shift movement between thehorizontal members I8 and connected by means of a connecting rod 3| to apiston indicated generally at 32, which is operated in the cylinder 33by means of suitable fluid pressure such as air pressure. The slide 30is provided with convex abutment portions 34 which engage the shift- I4is journalled at 15 I2 iS 20 guideways along which 25 able bearingblocks 2|, and it is pivotally secured to the connectingrod 3| as bymeans of a pin extending through projecting ears 36 formed integral withthe slide, and through the flat end portion of the connecting rod 3| soas to permit the roller to'fiuctuate to a slight degree when inoperation to compensate for buttons or thickened portions of wearingapparel passing through the roller.

The cylinder 33 is-connected at its inner end to a plate 31 by means ofbolts 38, and the plate 31 is provided with laterally extending arms 39connected to and serving as spacers for the horizontal strips |8 and isformed in its central portion with a conical projection 40 having anopening 4| therethrough through which the connecting rod 3| extends. Thecylinder 33 is formed in two integral sections, a relatively largecylindrical section 42 and a relatively small cylindrical section 43,the latter being formed at its end with an opening 44 which is connectedby means of piping 45, valve 46 and pipe 41 to asuitable source of fluidpressure such as an air com-v pre'ssion pump or compression tank.

. A suitable handle 46 is provided on the valve and it may be adjustedso as to connect the pipe 41 with the pipe 45, or to cut off the pipe 41and connect the pipe with the atmosphere through outlet 48. The piston32 disposed inside the cylinder 33 is likewise formed in two sections, alarger section cooperating with the larger cylinder portion 42, and asmaller section cooperating with the small cylinder portion 43, and

I to this end the connecting rod 3| is preferably formed with an endportion 50 serving as the smaller piston, and with a threaded portion 5|on which the enlarged piston52 is'secured.

A cylindrical chamber 53 is formed in the smaller piston 50 and has asmall duct 54 leading from one side thereof adjacent the top and aT-shaped duct 55 leading from the bottom thereof, while a ball check 56retained in the chamber by means of the entrance to the T-shaped duct55.

It will be seenthat when the valve handle has been turned to theposition shown in the dotted line in Fig. 1, the compressed air willpass through the pipe 41, valve 46 and pipe 45 into the small cylinder43. The parts will then be in the position indicated at Fig. 4 with theduct 54 facing the wall of the cylinder 43 and with the ball check 56closing the T-shaped duct 55. The small piston 50 will be forced by theair pressure towards the left until the duct 54 reaches the end of thewall of cylinder. 43, at which point the air pressure in cylinder 43will escape through chamber 53 and duct 54 into the enlarged cylinder42.

From this point on anism to the left will be caused by the operation ofpiston 52 in the enlarged portion of the cylinder. The wall of theenlarged cylinder 42 is provided with an outlet 58 which is connected bymeans of piping 59 to the automatic mechanism which causes the rotationof the rollers. The opening 58 is normally closed by means of acupshaped washer member 60 formed of leather or asuitable compositionsecured around the threaded portion 5| of the connecting rod 3| immediately above the piston 52. The cup-shaped member provides a closecontact between the piston and cylinder wall and is preferably held inproper position by a metal disk or washer 6|.

When the pistons have been shifted sufficiently to the left under theair pressure entering the the lower end of the wall of 'matic rotationof the cylinders.

the pin51 is disposed at cynnder 42 as to cause the shifting of themech-.

cylinders through piping 45, the piston 52 will have moved suflicientlyto uncover the outlet 58 as shown in Fig. 3, permitting some of the airunder pressure to escape through piping 59.

The pistons, cylinders and ducts are so arranged that the initialshifting of the roller l4 to the left will be caused entirely by theoperation of the air pressure upon the smaller piston 50 riding in thesmaller cylindrical portion '43. The air pressure is so regulated as toovercome the tension of the springs 23. However, should the operatorsfingers be caught between the rollers l3 and I4, the pressure will notbe sufiicient to crush or injure the fingers, and the duct 54 is sopositioned that should the fingers of the operator be caught between therollers none of the air can escape through duct 54 into the enlargedcylinder 42. The operator may thus either remove his fingers or turn thevalve handle 41 to shut off the machine should his fingers thus becaught.

When the roller M has been shifted so that it almost contacts the rollerl3, the duct 54 will pass the cylinder 43, permitting the air underpressure to escape into the enlarged cylinder. Henceforth the shiftingof the roller and the pressure of the roller is controlled by the piston52 in the enlarged cylinder 42. Due to the greater size of piston 52 andcylinder 42, the roller I4 will be forced under greatly increasedpressure into intimate engagement with roller l3, and when the partshave reached the position indicated in Fig. 3 with the piston 52 shiftedsufliciently to open the duct 58, some of the air under pressure willthen pass through piping 59 to the mechanism which causes the auto- Itwill thus be seen that the parts are so arranged that no injury can bedone to the operator while the rollers are shifting, and that norotation of the rollers occurs until they have been forced into intimatecontact under high pressure. Outlet 58 should be small enough to preventsuch a reduction of pressure in r the piston 52 and roller |4-,to shiftto the right under the tension of springs 23.

The mechanism for causing the rollers l3 and M to rotate after they havethus been forced intolower 'end of which is a threaded opening 10connected by means of pipe 1| to the piping 59.

The piston is provided with a suitable leather or composition cuppedwasher 12 to insure a tight fit between the piston and the walls of thecylinder, and with a metal disk 13 for holding the cupped washer 12 inproper position. A reduced end portion 14 is provided at the end of theconnecting rod 61, and the piston 68, washer 12 and disk 13 are fittedon this portion of the connecting rod and held in position as by meansof a nut 15.

The upper end of the cylinder is provided with a laterally projectingflange 16 which is secured by means of bolts 11 to a closure plate 18. Aconical projection 19 is formed adjacent the center of the closure plateand is provided with an opening 80 through which the connecting rod 61extends. The cylinder is held in position by means of a pair of posts 8|secured at the upper end to a pair of ears projecting from one of thesupporting cross pieces l8, and secured at the 2,070,528 other end as bynuts 83 to laterally extending.

arms 84 formed integral with the closure plate 18.

The piston, connecting rod and rack are normally held at the lower endof their stroke by means of tension springs 85 connected between thearms 84 and a yoke 86 which is secured to the connecting rod immediatelybeneath the rack 65. I When the roller M has been shifted to the leftinto engagement with roller l3 and piston 52 has shifted sufficiently touncover the duct 58 formed in the wall of the larger cylinder .42, airunder pressure will pass through pipe 59, pipe 1|, into cylinder 69,forcing the piston 68, con necting rod 61 and rack 65 upwardly to theposition shown in Fig. 1. Because of the engagement between the teeth ofrack 65 and the teeth of pinion 64, the roller l3 will be caused torotate in feeding direction as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2. Due tothe frictional engagement between rollers l3 and I4, roller M willlikewise be caused to rotate.

The article of wearing apparel, which had been inserted between therollers with the portion to be starched immersed in the starchpreparation II, will be accordingly fed upwardly, first being pulledbetween the idling rollers l2 which squeeze the starch into the fabric,and then being fed between the rollers l3 and I4, forcing the surplusstarch preparation downwardly and back into the container Ill. Thelength of the rack and the relative size of the pinion 64 should besufficient to cause the wearing apparel which is being treated to be fedthrough and be released by the rollers I3 and I4. l

When the piston 68, connecting rod 61 and rack 65 have reached the topof their stroke, as shown in Fig. l, the starch applying and extractingoperation has been completed, and the handle 46' of valve 46 is turnedto a position to cut off the air pressure in pipe 41 and to open theconnection between piping 45 and 'the atmosphere through outlet 48. i

Piping 81 is connected between the pipe II at the bottom of cylinder 69and piping 45, and has a ball check 86 disposed therein so as to permitfluids to pass from piping H to piping 45, but to prevent the passage.of fluids in the opposite direction. The air under pressure in cylinder69 is thereby permitted to escape through piping H, 81 and 45, the valve'46 and outlet 48. Springs 85 will pull the rack 65, connecting rod 6'|and piston 68 back to their original position at the bottom of theirstroke, forcing the air out as above described.

Simultaneously springs 23 will return the roller [4 to its originalposition in spaced relationwith respect to roller I 3, as shown in Fig.4, the pistons 52 and 56 forcing the air through outlet 44, piping 45,valve '46 and outlet 48. Due to the T-duct 55 and ball check 56 formedin the piston 56, the air in the larger cylinder 42 can escape throughchamber 53 even after duct 54 has entered the smaller cylinder 43.

The yoke 28 which'supports the mountings for springs 23 is suitablysecured around the smaller cylinder 43 in engagement with the shoulderformed by the larger cylinder 42. Suitable upights or legs 90 arepreferablysecured to the cross members l8 and to the smaller cylinder 43so as to support the machine at a convenient height.

The operation of the machine, which has been described in connectionwith the description of the apparatus, is relatively simple and may becontrolled even by .an inexperienced operator.

If the article to be starched, for example, is a shirt cuff, the shirtsleeve is inserted between the rollers when in spaced position, as shownin Fig. 4, until the cuff is immersed to the proper depth in the starchpreparation II in container ID. The handle of valve 46 is then turned tosupply air under pressure through pipe 45 into the smaller cylinder 43,which causes a slow moving of the roller l4 under relatively lightpressure towards roller l3 until the duct 54 passes the end of the wallof cylinder 43, thereby preventing any injury to the fingers of theoperator should they be caught between the rollers as previouslydescribed.

When the duct 54 passes the lower end of the wall of cylinder 43, theroller I4 will then be urgedinto engagement with roller [3 underrelatively high pressure. The air under pressure will finally passthrough duct 58 when the piston 52 has shifted sufficiently to the leftas shown in Fig. 3, with the result that air under pressure will passinto cylinder 69, forcing the piston 68 and rack 65 upwardly, rotatingthe rollers in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 2, and feeding theshirt sleeve slowly upwardly. The cuff will first be pulled throughidling rollers l2, which will force the starch into the cuffs, and thenbe fed through rollers 13 and I4, which will remove the surplus starchand cause it to fall back into the container ID. The handle oiv valve 46is then turned to close the feed pipe 41 and open the outlet 48,permitting the air in the cylinders to escape and the rack 65 and roller14 to return to their original position under the tension of springs 85and 23.

It 'is to be understood, of course, that the mechanism for shifting therollers relative to each other may be used in association with any typeof rolling mechanism in which pressure rollers which are shiftablerelative to each other are employed. It is also to be understood thatmany changes may be made in the illustrated and described apparatuswithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the character described, a

pair of pressurerollers shiftable relative to each.

other, means for shifting the rollers apart and normally holding them inspaced relation, means for shifting said rollers towards each otherunder relatively light pressure to a predetermined point, and meansautomatically operative upon the shifting of the rollers to thepredetermined point for thereafter shifting the rollers towards eachother and urging them into contact under relatively strong pressure.

2. In a machine of the character described, a

pair of rotatable pressure rollers shiftable relative to each other,means for shifting said rollers apart and normally holding them inspaced relation, means including a relatively small piston disposed in arelatively small cylinder having connection with a source of fluidpressure for urging said rollers towards each other to a predeterminedpoint under relatively light pressure, and means including a relativelylarge piston disposed in a relatively large cylinder having'connectionwith a source of fluid pressure for thereafter shifting the rollerstowards each other and urging them into intimate contact underrelatively strong pressure.

3. In a machine of the character described, a pair of rotatable pressurerollers shiftable relative to each other, means for shifting saidrollers apart and normally holding them in spaced relation, meansincluding a relatively small piston disposed in a. relatively smallcylinder having connection with a source of fluid pressure for urgingsaid rollers towards each other to a predetermined point underrelatively light pressure, and means including a relatively large pistondisposed in a relatively large cylinder for thereafter shifting therollers towards each other and urging them intointimate contact underrelatively strong pressure, said cylinders and pistons being providedwith means for connecting the second cylinder to a source of fluidpressure after the first piston has shifted a predetermined distance.

4. In a machine of the character described, a pressure roller, a secondpressure roller shiftable towards and away from said first pressureroller, means for shifting said rollers apart and normally holding themin spaced relation, means for shifting said second roller towards saidfirst roller to a predetermined point under relatively light pressure,and means automatically operative upon the shifting of the second rollerto the predetermined point for thereafter shifting said second rollertowards said first roller under relatively strong pressure.

5. In a machine of the character described, a pressure roller, a secondpressure roller shiftable towards and away from said first pressureroller,

pair of means for shifting said rollers apart and normally holding themin spaced relation, means in- I eluding a relatively small pistondisposed in a relatively small cylinder having connection with a sourceof fluid. pressure for urging said second roller towards said firstroller to a predetermined point under relatively light pressure, andmeans including a relatively large piston disposed in a relatively largecylinder having connection with a source of fluid pressure forthereafter shifting the second roller towards'the first roller underrelatively strong pressure.

6. In a machine of the character described, a pressure roller, a secondpressure roller shiftable towards and away from said first pressureroller, means for shifting said rollers apart and normally holding themin spaced relation, means including a relatively small piston disposedin a relatively small cylinder having connection with a source of fluidpressure for urging said second roller towards said first roller to apredetermined point under relatively light pressure, and means includinga relatively large piston disposed in a relatively large cylinder forthereafter shifting the second roller towards the first roller underrelatively strong pressure, said cylinders and pistons being providedwith means for connecting the second cylinder to a source of fluidpressure after the first piston has shifted a predetermined distance.

'7. In a machine of the character described, a pair of pressure rollersshiftable relative to each other, means for shifting the rollers apartand normally holding them in spaced relation, means for shifting saidrollers towards each other, and means controlled by said second namedmeans for causing said rollers to rotate after they have been shifted toa predetermined position.

8; In a machine of the character described, a pressure rollers shiftablerelative to each other, means for shifting the rollers apart andnormally holding them in spaced relation, means including a pistondisposed in a cylinder, having connection with a source of fluidpressure for shifting said rollers towards each other, and

the first piston has shifted a predetermined distance.

9. In a machine of the character described, a pressure roller, a secondpressure roller shiftable towards and away from said first pressureroller, means for shifting said rollers apart and normally holding themin spaced relation, means for shifting said second roller towards saidfirst roller to a predetermined point under relatively light pressure,means for thereafter shifting said second roller towards said firstroller and urging the rollers into intimate contact under relativelystrong pressure, and means controlled by said last named means forcausing said rollers to rotate after they have been urged into intimatecontact.

10. In a machine of the character described, a pressure roller, a secondpressure roller shiftable towards and away from said first pressureroller, means for shifting said rollers apart and normally holding themin spaced relation, means including a relatively small piston disposedin a relatively small cylinder having connection with a source of fluidpressure for shifting said second roller towards said first roller to apredetermined point under relatively light pressure, means including arelatively large piston disposed in a relatively large cylinder havingconnection with a source of fluid pressure controlled by said relativelysmall piston and cylinder for thereafter shifting the second rollertowards the first roller and urging the rollers into intimate contactunder relatively strong pressure, and means including a third pistondisposed in a third cylinder having connection with a source of fluidpressure controlled by said relatively large piston and cylinder forcausing said rollers to rotate after they have been urged into intimatecontact.v

11. A starch applying and extracting machine comprising a container fora starch preparation, a pair of idling pressure rollers disposed in saidcontainer so as to bepartly immersed in the starch preparation, a secondpair of pressure rollas to have portions immersed in the 'starchpreparation, a second pair of 'pressure rollers shiftable relative toeach other and disposed above said first mentioned rollers, means forshifting the rollers in both pairs apart and normally holding them inspaced relation, means for shifting said rollers towards each other, andmeans for causing the second pair of rollers to rotate after the rollershave shifted to a predetermined point.

13. A starch applying and extracting machine comprising a container fora starch preparation, a pair of idling pressure rollers shiftablerelative to each other and disposed in said container so as to haveportions immersed in the starch preparation, a second pair of pressurerollers shiftable relative to each other and disposed outside saidcontainer above said first mentioned rollers, means for shifting therollers in both pairs apart and normally holding them in spacedrelation, means for shifting the rollers in both pairs toward each otherto a predetermined point under relatively light pressure, means forthereafter shifting the rollers in both pairs towards each other underrelatively strong pressure, and means for causing the second pair ofrollers to rotate after the rollers in both pairs have been shifted intocontact with each other.

14. A starch applying and extracting machine comprising a container fora starch preparation, a pair of pressure rollers shiftable relative toeach other and disposed so as to have portions immersed in the starchpreparation in said container, a second pair of pressure rollersshiftable relative to each other and disposed outside said containeradjacent said first mentioned rollers. means for shifting the rollers inboth pairs apart and normally holding them in spaced relation, meansincluding a relatively small piston disposed in a relatively smallcylinder having connection with a source of fluid pressure for shiftingsaid rollers in both pairs towards each other to a predetermined pointunder relatively light pressure, means including a relatively largepiston disposed in a relatively large cylinder having connection with asource of fluid pressure controlled by said relatively small piston andcylinder for thereafter shifting said rollers towards each other andurging them into contact under relatively strong pressure, and meansincluding a third piston and cylinder having connection with a source offluid pressure controlled by said relatively large cylinder and pistonfor causing the second pair of rollers to rotate after the rollers inboth pairs have been shifted into contact with each other.

15. A starch applying and extracting machine comprising a pair ofshiftable rollers, and means for shifting said rollers relative to eachother, said means including mechanism for shifting said rollers towardseach other to a predetermined point under relatively light pressure, andmeans automatically operative upon the shifting of the rollers to thepredetermined point for thereafter shifting the rollers towards eachother and urging them into intimate contact under relatively strongpressure.

16. A starch applying and extracting machine comprising a pair ofshiftable rollers, and means for shifting said rollers relative to eachother,

said means including a relatively small piston disposed in a relativelysmall cylinder having connection with a source of fluid pressure forshifting said rollers towards each other to a predetermined point underrelatively light pressure,

and a relatively large piston disposed in a relatively large cylinderhaving connection with a source of fluid pressure, and controlled bysaid relatively small piston and cylinder for there after shifting saidrollers towards each other and urging them into contact under relativelystrong pressure.

1'7. In apparatus for starching fabric articles and the like, acontainer for a starch preparation, means including a pair ofidlingpressure rollers disposed in said container for applying starch tothe article being treated, and means including a pair of pressure feedrollers disposed above the first rollers for feeding the article beingtreated through the first rollers and for removing the surplus starchfrom the article. JOHN EVANS.

